King Of Pigs

Steve Rodgers is a fine actor masterly at playing decent if uncertain blokes. Now as playwright, he’s created a fascinating kaleidoscope of four men acting out some level of violence against women. 

The women are played by the one, Ella Scott-Lynch, who authentically modulates across four scenarios this vivacious, headstrong and expressive Everywoman.  The Men too are given strong performances.

Kire Tosevski plays a counsellor figure to whom she tells the stories, and also her husband:  his violence really no more than pressurising their young son (Wylie Best/Thom Blake) with too many expectations. 

But another husband, a brooding, hulk of a rugby player (Mick Bani) does bash her when she slips from his control.   Still another, a handsome banker (Ashley Hawkes) sings charmingly of love but threatens the children and turns to murder. 

And Christian Byers plays a careless millennial workmate who beds her in consensual sex but leaves her to unconsenting group sex with his household.

The Men come with just enough back story to drive our interest in their developing relationship with the Woman, vignettes deftly intercut with each other by Rodgers.  

This fragmentation is ably staged by actor/ first time director Blazey Best.  She makes good visual drama in the entrances of Isabel Hudson’s stripped back domestic set, using the sharp focus of Verity Hampson’s lighting.

While the male motives for violence remain largely inexplicable, the total impact of this commanding play is urgent, powerful and tender – and leavened by lots of surprising laughs.  

Martin Portus

Photographer: John Marmaras.